PHILADELPHIA >> Chuck Keating prepared for weeks for Pope Francis’ arrival in Philadelphia, but what followed was something he could have never anticipated.

Keating is band director for Bishop Shanahan High School in Downingtown, Chester County, the 84-member band invited to perform to welcome the pontiff to the area. Keating brought his mother, Johanna, his wife, Kristin, and his children, Katie, 13, and 10-year-old twins, Christopher and Michael, who is confined to a wheelchair because of Cerebral Palsy.

The pope entered a black Fiat in his motorcade and it began to circle around the crowds when a gentleman in the car pointed out Michael to the pope.

“And the pope made him stop and got right out,” Johanna Keating, Michael’s grandmother said.

Pope Francis walked over to the family and blessed the boy, then kissed him on the head.

“It’s just mindboggling,” Johanna Keating said. “It’s something that will never happen again.”

Michael’s sister, Katie, who was standing next to him during the encounter was flummoxed.

“It was just like amazing,” the teen said. “I can’t even explain. I kind of figured he saw Michael because I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, he’s coming over here!’ I’m just so happy.”

Her grandmother agreed.

“When he came over to Mikey, it was just something to see,” she said. “I can’t even describe it. I feel that God planned it that way.”

For this grandmother, Pope Francis will always hold a special esteem.

“The pope, he’s just a gentleman,” she said. “You wouldn’t even know he’s a dignitary.”

Michael’s dad, Chuck, hesitated to capture the right words to describe that instant.

“It’s just unbelievable,” he said. “It’s just a blessing really. To get that blessing and to give him a kiss on the forehead, I had to turn away, I couldn’t stand it. It’s one of those things, I think, when we get home, it’ll all sink in.”

It was a moment that surpassed any of his expectations.

“You always dream of maybe seeing the pope, but now the fact that he actually came over and blessed my son … it’s just unbelievable,” Keating said.